Articles on the New XP
So, you’re new to the XP role. Welcome to the front row of ministry! Your job is a position of power, influence and, at times, the one to take the criticism and hard conversations. Take comfort in knowing that many have walked this road before you. They have documented their thoughts and learnings in the form of articles, posted here … so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
Balancing the Business Brain and the Pastoral Heart
What do scuba diving, salary spreadsheets, and severance packages have in common? According to Fletch, more than you think. Matt Davis interviews Fletch in Episode 55, Balancing the Business Brain and the Pastoral Heart. [...]
5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way as an Executive Pastor
Stepping into, or leading through, the role of an Executive Pastor can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding positions in ministry leadership. If you're navigating this path, you’re likely familiar with the [...]
Fletch & Erika Cole, When to Hire an Executive Pastor
Fletch and Erika Cole did podcast on When to Hire an Executive Pastor. Erika, known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process that [...]
Defining the Executive Pastor Role
Phil has just updated and expanded his book, Defining the Executive Pastor Role. Join us as he gives an overview of the book and delves into a few of the chapters. The [...]
Three Items I Learned at the XP-Seminar that Worried Me
For the last few years, I have spoken at the XP-Seminar, except for the Snow-Covid Seminar a few years ago. The seminar is one of my few live speaking gigs every year. David and [...]
2 Temptations Church Leaders Face When Visiting Other Churches
Taking time to visit other churches in your area or across the country is a great way to grow in your leadership. I love seeing a church in action and I always come away [...]
Pastoral Heart vs. Business Brain
Balancing Giftedness in the XP role Nick Smith is an XP with a huge Pastoral Heart. He exudes warmth and compassion with plenty of biblical wisdom. How does Nick balance his gifts [...]
Surprise Findings in the XP Survey
What We Expected & What We Found Let’s look at seven surprises that will give encouragement, challenge, and ideas to ponder as we move forward in this uncertain season. Jesus often used [...]
3 Ways Intentional Coaching Helps Executive Pastors
Like it or not, Executive Pastors are coaches. You can embrace your role as a coach and improve your effectiveness by coaching your team. I’ll admit it. The word coach used to make me [...]
The SP-XP Relationship & Transition
Bishop David Evans is the Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, New Jersey. Nicholas Smith is his Executive Pastor. Twenty years ago, Bishop Evans named Nicholas as his designated successor. Their long [...]
Seven Common Pitfalls Every Pastor Should Avoid in a New Church Role
A quaint story circulated among Methodists describes a young pastor, fresh out of seminary, who had just begun his first pastorate. As he drove up to the small church, he noticed an old tree blocking [...]
To Co-Lead or Not to Co-Lead?
Shared leadership at the helm of any organization, especially the ever-growing model of co-lead pastors in a church, can be a huge blessing when successful. However, it has the potential to be quite catastrophic [...]
Shooting for the Top … Almost
I believe in the Executive Pastor position to my core. There is tremendous value that an Executive Pastor can offer a church. God has been preparing me for this role my entire life and [...]
Preparing for a Senior Pastor Resignation
One day, you may have the conversation. This is one of those ultimate conversations in your ministry life. It may come out of the blue. You may have some signs it is coming. You [...]
Every Church’s Business Environment is Complex
Whether a church has 100, 1,000 or 10,000 people, the business of church is complex. According to industry research, there are approximately 300,000 churches in the United States. Of those 300,000 ninety percent have [...]
The Origin of Executive Pastors
Bob Buford passed away recently. If you’re younger than about 40, it’s possible you’ve never heard of Bob Buford. But if you’re an executive pastor of any age, you owe your position to Bob [...]
The Changing Face of the Executive Pastor Role
A longtime XP discusses what is changing for a position once limited to large churches, an interview with David Fletcher by Matthew Branaugh ... You have served as a pastor for more than 35 [...]
Modern Day Matthews—Transitioning from the Marketplace into Ministry
“You are destroying the church I love!” “You are not a godly man and I hate you!” “Sometimes I do not understand the way you think!” “You are making my church too corporate!” After you [...]
From Business Executive to Executive Pastor
A variety of paths can lead to the role of executive pastor (or executive director) in a church. One of the most common is the businessperson who is already a volunteer leader in the [...]
Clarifying the XP Role
“And all other duties as may be assigned.” This is commonly the last line in a job description, but the practical reality for many second chair leaders is that this is their first responsibility. [...]
Organizing Selectively
“To organize or not to organize? That is the question.” While this may be a bad take-off on Shakespeare, it’s a key issue for second chair leaders. One possible response to this question is, “Don’t bother [...]
The Seven Essential Attributes of Exceptional Executive Pastors
Having an excellent Executive Pastor can dramatically increase the health and growth of a church. Similar to the relationship between a COO and a CEO, an Executive Pastor oversees all administrative and operational aspects of [...]
Book Excerpt: Defining the Executive Pastor Role
Throughout my years in the Executive Pastor role, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of my peers in ministry. At the risk of oversimplification, I have noticed that most XPs (shorthand [...]
Leadership Challenges of Leaders in Industry and the Church
Throughout my many years of ministry, I have had the opportunity to coach executives of Fortune 500 companies and church leaders. My vantage point is fascinating; I enjoy the challenge of identifying best practices that [...]